The
landscape of Tamil Nadu is interestingly varied and diverse. Out of 1,30,058
sq-kms of land area, 17.6% is covered by the forest area. These spread over
the plains and on mountain slopes. Dry lands are covered with dry-deciduous
forests, thorn forests, scrubs and mangroves. The Western Ghats and a few
cooler regions are blessed with moist deciduous, wet evergreen forests and
grasslands. The forest cover of Tamil Nadu houses several rare and
endangered species within its surroundings. There are 5 national parks and
17 wildlife sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu, all boasting of rich treasure of
flora & fauna. The famous wildlife sanctuaries are the Anamalai (Indira
Gandhi) Wildlife Sanctuary, Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, Kalakadu Wildlife
Sanctuary, Mundanthurai Tiger Sanctuary, Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary,
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
and The Viralimalai Sanctuary. The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park and
the Guindy National Park are the most visited national parks in the state.
Anna Zoological Park in Chennai is one of the latest and modern zoos of
India. The Snake Park and the Crocodile Bank also located in Chennai are
known for their collection of reptiles.
The Wildlifes in Tamil Nadu
Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary
Spread over 17.26-sq-kms of land surrounded by sea and shore, containing
forests of tidal swamps, dry evergreen forests of mangroves, is 90-km
southeast of Thanjavur in a wetland which extends out into the Palk Strait
separating India and Sri Lanka. This place is known for the vast flocks of
migratory waterfowl, especially flamingos, which accumulate here every
winter. The sanctuary is vast, mostly shrub-land, shaped by the violent
monsoon winds and treated mercilessly by feral cattle, horses and the
graceful buck.
Between November and January, the tidal mud flats and marshes are covered
with Teals, Curlews, Gulls, Terns, Plovers, Sandpipers, Shanks, Herons and
up to 3000 Flamingoes at one time. Besides, you will also find varied fauna
such as Chital, Wild boar, Bonnet macaque, Black Buck, Flamingos, Teals,
Gulls, Terns, Plavers and Stilts. Special attractions are close encounters
with Dolphins and Turtles, which often come quite close to the shore.
Mudumalali Wildlife Reserve
Mudumalali Wildlife Reserve was the first sanctuary in south India. The
terrain is extremely varied with hills, valleys, ravines, watercourses and
swamps. The vegetation comprises of tropical moist deciduous forests, dry
deciduous forests and scrub forests. Compared to the nearby reserves, the
climate is warmer in Mudumalai.
Langur, bonnet macaque, tiger, leopard, wild dog, hyena, jackal, sloth
bear, elephants, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, Indian muntjac, mouse deer,
wild boar, rodent and flying squirrel are part of the wildlife in Mudumalai.
It has a rich bird life that includes Malabar trogan, Grey hornbill, crested
hawk eagle, crested serpent eagle, etc.
Viralimalai Sanctuary
Viralimalai is a small town situated at a distance of 30-kms from Trichy
and 40-kms from Pudukkottai. It is famous for its Murugan temple and the
Peacock sanctuary. The town is bestowed with a large number of wild
peacocks, which roam around the Murugan temple.
The sanctuary is one of the best places to watch peacocks. There are at
least six species of peacock pheasants distributed throughout South East
Asia, though the Palawan Peacock Pheasant or "Tandikan"
(Polyplectron Emphanum) is by far the most spectacularly coloured of these
beautiful birds.
Kunthakulam Bird Sanctury
Situated 33 km south of Tirunelveli in Nanguneri taluk is Kunthakulam, a
small and natural scenic village, which is covered with natural forests and
ponds. The place is a favourite haunt of birds. During the season January to
April every year more than 10 thousand birds from various countries like
Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, USA, Australia migrate here and when the
season is over the birds return. Every day more than 5,000 people come here
and enjoy.
Anamalai (Indira Gandhi) Wildlife Sanctuary
Anamalai wildlife sanctuary is about 90-kms from Coimbatore and is situated
in the Western Ghats near Pollachi. The area of the sanctuary is 958-sq-kms.
An ecological paradise, this sanctuary contains a National Park. The park
boasts of has various kinds of fauna like Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther,
Sloth Bear, Deer, Wild Bear, Wild Dog, Porcupine, Flying Squirrel, Jackal,
Pangolin, Civet Cat and birds like Rocket-tailed Drongo, Red Whiskered
Bulbul, Tree Pie, Black Headed Oriole, Spotted Dove, Pigeon, etc. The
Amaravati reservoir in the Anamalai has large number of crocodiles.
